200 S-A-L-E-S

SO happy...EXCITED...busy...THANKFUL...stressed...HAPPY!



200 deserves the happy dance. I'm doing it right now. Ok, I'm off to play Settlers of Catan with my boys because I'm a nerd like that.


P.S. Oh, yeah...One day left to enter the Mormon Mommy Blog giveaway!

Refashioned Christmas Dress AFTER

I LOVE ruffles! I love how they add a sweet bit of femininity and texture to something that would otherwise be quite ordinary and plain. I've seen dresses similar to this...



By Lirola and got inspired!

So, I decided to refashion my girls' Christmas dresses to make them unique and not so ordinary. Here's what I came up with...




Here's how you recreate it:

Supplies
Dress
Satin
Coordinating thread
Rotary blade & Mat
Scissors
Machine

Step 1
Cut 2 lengths (44 inches) of satin 7 inches wide



Sew the lengths together. Now you have one long strip 7" X 88" or so.
Sew right sides together to form a tube.



Turn the tube right side out.
Iron flat on low heat with seam in the middle of the tube.



Step 2
Sew a long running stitch along the entire length of your fabric.
*Use your middle seam as a guide. This doesn't have to be perfect since it will be all gathered - hiding any mistakes.
*If you're not sure how to do this. See here for a tutorial on ruffle making.
Pull top threads on both sides to gather your ruffle.

Step 3
Place ruffle along your decided place (pin if you hate constantly adjusting finicky satin).
Start at the back and turn your ruffle under at the back opening.

Topstitch around the bodice.
Cut the end when you reach the back and turn under. Stitch end piece in place.


THAT'S IT!


This idea can be applied to sweaters, tee shirts, skirts, anything at all! Happy ruffle-ing!

A second chance at luck....

Go visit Mormon Mommy Blogs for another CutSewRepeat giveaway. Receive up to 7 entries. Good luck!!

Sewing MACHINE

Sew...I've been occupied sewing these:


Yes, count them. 20 chef sets! YIKES! This order finishes of a set of 4 wholesale orders totaling about 100 chef sets in the last month. I think I could probably make these with my eyes closed by now.

It feels good to complete something. Which reminds me of several projects that I haven't finished. Like the baby quilt for my now 4 year old, or the baby dress for my now 13 month old.

Soon I will begin on my handmade Chrismtas gifts. But for now here's my first Christmas project. Refashioned Christmas dresses for my girls BEFORE:



Yes, I bought my girls quite ordinary Christmas dresses at some big box store. And YES, I dress my girls to match despite vowing as a young girl never to commit this sin.

Come see the "oh so stunning" AFTER I've run my magical wand (Janome) over these babies tomorrow!

And the Winner Is ....

RACHEL

This lucky girl said:
I will follow my fellow creator:) I am a creative nut too with some of the same results. My favorite from your store? Almost anything Layla models:) Seriously, I love the chef set. LOVE it! Frank loves helping me in the kitchen and he could definetly use an apron his size. Count me in for one entry.

(By the way, Rachel received 2 entries with her comment - making her the lucky winner!)

Thanks to all of those who commented! Stay tuned for some more stuff that is up my sleeves, well besides stray threads and fabric fuzz ;)

Handmade Day #5 - Gifts for Teachers

My top 11. Super EASY, fun and practical presents - minus the typical apples!

Badge Lanyard
Checkbook Cover
Coffee Cozy
Fancy Notebooks
Hand Sanitizer
Key Fob
MakeUp Bag
Oil Cloth Lunch Sack
Oragami Box
Pocket Tissue Holder
Sticky Notes Books

Only 3 hours left to enter the Chef Set GIVEAWAY! The lucky winner will be revealed on Saturday!

Handmade Day #4 - Gifts for Dads / Men

Coin Cufflinks
Crafty Pin - I don't know any man that would actually wear this, but it would be a pretty funny gift.
Grandpa or Dad Custom Photo
Necktie
Peanut Butter Cup Bars
Recycled Necktie Wallet

Tomorrow: Handmade Day #5 - Teacher's Gifts

Only 28 more hours to get those comments in for the Chef Set GIVEAWAY!

Handmade Day #3 - Gifts for Moms & Women

Top 8 today...I'm having a hard time with this one. I never know what to get my mom. She seems to have just about everything.

Bookmark
Bow Frame (with updated family photos of course)
Love Quilt
Mini Scrapbook
Organza Flower
Pillow - Love
Portfolio
Table Top Ironing Pad

Any other great suggestions for gifts for mom? Please share!

Handmade Day #2 - Gifts for Friends

Here are my top 10 friends gifts. You know you're giving a good gift when it's something you'd love for yourself. By the way... I'd love to receive any of these little beauties (hint, hint;)

Business Card Holder
Buttercup Bag
Car CD Holder
Felt Circle Pillow
Homemade Body Salts and Cocoa
Monogrammed Candle
No Sew Jersey Scarf
Ruffle Headband
Shabby Flower Pins
Vintage Earrings

Tomorrow Handmade Day #3 - Gifts for Mom or the Special Lady in your life.

Handmade Day #1 - Gifts for Kids

Here they are. My top 10. I will definitely be making these for my kids for Christmas. LOVE the Embroidered kids art!

Apron
Christmas Chalkboards
Crayon Roll
Embroider your kids artwork
Felt Food
Taggie Animals
Toddler Crayons
Ooey Gooey Science Experiment
Quite Book Template
Wall Art

Tomorrow: Handmade Day #2 Gifts for Friends (Cool stuff)

Buying & Giving Handmade

Growing up, my family wasn't one of the wealthiest. Of course, I always felt so spoiled at Christmas receiving so many things, many of which were handmade by my mom. Some of my favorites gifts include this completely handmade porcelain doll from my grandma when I was born.



Or the many dresses my mom made, that fit me perfectly. They were so unique and had a timeless quality to them.



Back then, handmade gifts were given mostly to save money. It was so much more economical to buy fabric and make a dress by hand, than to buy one from the store.

Today, giving handmade doesn't necessarily save money. I could purchase a Christmas dress for my girls for much less at a large chain store, than if I were to buy the fabric alone and then put hours of work into sewing them. People are choosing handmade today for the many other benefits.


Why buy handmade?

Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving.
The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that can
be seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.

Buying handmade is better for people.
The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.

Buying handmade is better for the environment.
The accumulating environmental effects of mass production are a major cause of global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil. Every item you make or purchase from a small-scale independent artist or crafter strikes a small blow to the forces of mass production.

Via BuyHandmade.org

In an effort to support handmade this Christmas Season, I will post easy ideas for handmade gift giving. Each day this week beginning tomorrow, you will see gift ideas for:

Kids
Friends
Mom's / Women
Dad's / Men
Teachers

So, start making those Christmas lists!

In the mean time, what are some of your most memorable handmade gifts (given or received)? Who was the giver or receiver? Do you still own it? Why is it so special to you?

Share with everyone by commenting!

To Create...

"The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.
Everyone can create. You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty.
Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment."
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

It's almost magical to me that something can be made from practically nothing.

Wether it's turning this...



Into this...


Or turning this...


Into this ;) ...


I feel compelled to create. It's almost like a drug. I find inspiration, gather supplies, and begin the process. The reward comes when I complete it to my satisfaction. Not all of my ideas come to fruition.

Like my bright idea to make this from PB Kids for my big girl for Halloween...



but I ran out of time and patience and ended up with this...



HAHAHA, so sad!!!

Yes, it's just a pathetic pile of cut up, stitched up pink felt. The bright side? I've learned that there are sometimes casualties of the creation process - and that's ok. Not everything comes out perfect. It's about the process.

Because I am continually inspired by things around me, I'm starting this blog to be some sort of inspiration to others to create.

So, in attempt to spark inspiration here's what I have to offer...

A GIVEAWAY!!! We all love free stuff, so I will be giving away one of my creations from my Etsy Shop

Your choice of a Chef Set!


This is by far my most popular item in my shop right now. All kids love to help out in the kitchen, so this is perfect for those little ones creating masterpieces with food!

Here's what you gotta do to enter to win...

Receive 1 entry for each of the following:
A. Leave a comment with your favorite item from my shop.
B. Become a Follower of this Blog
C. Share this giveaway with your friends on your Blog or Facebook page.
D. Add my shop to your favorites on Etsy

Leave me a comment to let me know how many entries you've completed. You can enter until November 20th. Winner will be chosen at random November 21st.

Good luck and I'll be posting ideas for handmade Christmas gifts very soon!